________________
East and West
1. Stray Pearls
East and West are the two banks of a river. The culture of the East is essentially internal and spiritual and that of the West external and materialistic.
The culture and philosophy of the East are based on the study and understanding of man's innerself, while Western philosophy and culture are based on the study and understanding of nature. The deity of the Eastern culture is infinite consciousness, while that of the West is petty materialism. The East holds a jar of cool water to extinguish the fire of material pursuits, while the West carries burning coals to fan it further.
Do not see Beauty; see the Merits
It is no use seeing the beauty of a person; see his merits. Why do you see the lineage of a person? See his character and conduct. Learning is not so much to be considered as the merits of a person. Do not consider the orations of a person, consider his conduct. Judge a man not by his penance and austerity but by his power of forgiveness and forbearance. Do not see what religion a man follows; see Whether there is milk of pity and compassion in his heart.
Jain Education International
143
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
